We live in an era in which anything is hardly ‘domestic’. In this 100% asynchronous class, we study the driving forces that got us in this situation, namely, globalization. Rather than focusing on specific event, country, or subject, we take a comprehensive approach to how the globalizing world affects cultures, societies, organizations, and individuals (and vice versa). For the first half of this short semester, we will focus on examining how we got here: what globalization is, and how it is understood in a number of different dimensions. The second half of the semester will be spent on the substantive issues of globalization that we deal with in a daily basis, including (but not limited to) violence, justice, governance, environment, and crime. The class serves as an introduction to the study of global affairs and aims at helping students establish analytical tools to understand global issues.
This course will be delivered online using an asynchronous non-real-time format via the Blackboard learning management system (LMS) housed in the MyMason portal. There are well-known pros and cons of an asynchronous class. In a summer semester when many people are away and committing to regular meetings is difficult, the pros outweigh the cons quite significantly. This particular section is to accommodate this situation. Therefore, we will not have any real-time meeting by design.
Access to MyMason (Blackboard) and GMU email are required to participate successfully in this course. Please make sure to update your computer and prepare yourself to begin using the online format BEFORE the first day of class. Check the IT Support Center website. Navigate to the Student Support page for help and information about Blackboard. In the menu bar to the left you will find all the tools you need to become familiar with for this course. Take time to learn each. Make sure you run a system check a few days before class. Become familiar with the attributes of Blackboard and online learning.
By the end of this course each student will:
You are asked to complete all the readings before coming to class (see below for reading schedule). The importance of reading in higher education cannot be overstated. You learn the most while you read. Class serves to affirm what you learned from the reading. These are NOT available in the University Bookstore as this is an online course. You can purchase these books fairly easily from online.
The preferred software for making video assignments in this course is YouTube . It’s easy and simple. Make the videos using either its App or its webpage and submit to our course page in Blackboard a link to it. A simple, selfie-style video is just perfectly fine. There’s no extra point for a fancy-looking video (But IF you’re into making fancy-looking videos, here’s an easy first step). It is recommended that you keep the ‘visibility’ of the video ‘unlisted’ (what is ‘unlisted’?).
An alternative, more traditional software option is Kaltura CaptureSpace. Detailed explanation is available here. Kalutra is great, but the server is sometimes unstable. It’s your choice.
This course consists of five modules. Each module takes one week (seven days). In our Blackboard page, go to "Weekly Module.’’ This is where things start and end.
| Weekly.Modules | Topics | Read.Watch | Assigments.Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| W1 (May17 - May23) | Introduction; What is globalization | Video; CMS ch.1; Steger ch.1-2 | My View of Globalization (not graded, due S 5/23) |
| W2 (May 24 - 30) | Economic Globalization | Video; Steger ch.3 | RE #1 (R 5/27); PR #1 (S 5/30) |
| W3 (May 31 - June 6) | Political Globalization | Video; CMS ch.3, 4; Steger ch.5 | RE#2 (R 6/3); PR #2 (S 6/6) |
| W4 (June 7 - 13) | Global Conflicts, Crime, and Terrorism | Video; CMS ch.10 | RE#3 (R 6/10); PR #3 (S 6/13) |
| W5 (June 14 - 18) | Global Environment | Video; CMS ch.5-6; Steger ch. 6 | My View of Globalization (Reflection, Graded, W 6/16) |
Given that the course is offered 100% online, the importance of completing assignments cannot be exaggerated. There are various types of activities the assignments involve including writing and video-recording. We have two different types of assignments.
Report Essay (3 \(\times\) 10=30%): Report Essay involves writing a short essay given each week’s theme. Specific ‘essay questions’ as well as instructions for writing are posted in each week’s module. This short piece usually is no longer than 500 words. Report essays are typically due each Thursday (11:59PM).
Peer Reflection (3 \(\times\) 10=30%): when the Report Essay papers are made available online, you are asked to react to your classmates’. You may choose two that interest you, and make a video reflection on these two papers that is no longer than three minutes. You may make it clear 1) why each student’s paper was interesting; 2) what’s the difference/similarity between your and the student’s papers; and 3) whether reading these papers actually changed your initial ideas and why (not). The video is expected to be about 3 minutes or shorter. Please do not upload a video file itself (or a link to the file via GoogleDrive or Dropbox) directly to Blackboard. There are legal and ethical issues/concerns. Use the likes of or . Peer Reflections are typically due each Sunday (11:59PM).
My View on Globalization (10%): You will share your view of globalization during week 1 which is a non-graded but required activity. Then, during the last week (W5), you will revisit your post from the first week (W1) and reflect on how your view of globalization has changed during this course. Only the second reflection (W5) will be graded (but if you did’t submit the first, ungraded one, 2% penalty applies). To complete My View of Globalization, you will be asked to create and submit a short video. The video is expected to be about 4 minutes. Please do not upload a video file (or a link to the file via GoogleDrive or Dropbox) directly to the Blackboard Discussion Board. There are legal and ethical issues. Use the likes of .
Please consult the Weekly Module for the details of each assignment.
We have one final exam, which will take a form of an essay. A link that contains the essay question(s) will be made available in the left-hand side of our Blackboard page 24 hours in advance (that is, Noon, 6/17). The submission will be completed in the same link no later than Noon, 6/18. Note that completing this exam would not take up the whole 24 hours. In fact, I expect it to take about 2 hours on average. You are given 24 hours because I want to give you some flexibility (life happens!). So there shall be no extension for this deadline.
| total score | letter grade | total score | letter grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| <= 93.00 | A | 77.00 - 79.99 | C+ |
| 90.00 - 92.99 | A- | 73.00 - 76.99 | C |
| 87.00 - 89.99 | B+ | 70.00 - 72.99 | C- |
| 83.00 - 86.99 | B | 60.00 - 69.99 | D |
| 80.00 - 82.99 | B- | >= 59.99 | F |
I will respond to your emails within 24 hours during week days. If I do not respond within 24 hours, please drop another message. If I will be away from email for more than one day, I will post an announcement in the Blackboard course folder.
Given the online nature of the course, there is no ‘attendance’ and therefore there is no make-up exams or assignments that are past dues. Under extraordinary circumstances you can obtain extensions for assignments/exams. To obtain the extension, you must submit to me a written request that identifies the date and cause of the emergency. This written request must be submitted no later than 48 hours after the designated deadline.
You are expected to actively engage in all online activities throughout the semester, which include viewing of all course materials, completing and participating in all course activities and assignments.
You should check the course Blackboard site and your GMU email for communications from the instructor, at a minimum this should be three (3) times per week.
Following the general guideline, there is absolutely no extra credits to be granted in this class. Likewise, ‘incomplete’ is granted only under extraordinary circumstances such as severe medical emergency. It cannot use to improve grades).
If it is a simple calculation/typing error at my end, students can point me to it any time during the semester. For all other matters, students must wait 24 hours after receiving a grade or graded work before approaching me about the grade. If the student desires to challenge the grade, he or she needs to write a detailed reasoning as to why he or she deserves a better grade which shall be submitted to me via email (for record). When the grade is disputed, I will reassess the whole assignment/exam. I reserve the right to either raise or lower the grade, based on the result of the re-assessment.
The principle of academic integrity is taken very seriously in this class. George Mason University has with clear guidelines regarding academic integrity: cheating, plagiarizing, stealing, and lying are strictly prohibited.
Plagiarism is of particular concern: 1) all work submitted must be your own; 2) when using the work or ideas of others, including fellow students, give full credit through accurate citations. While collaboration and learning from others, especially established scholars in the field is not only encouraged but also required, using someone else’s words or ideas without giving them credit is plagiarism. If you quote directly from any text, you MUST use the exact words (including punctuation) just as the words, phrases, and sentences appear in the original text. You must also follow proper citation rules to indicate that you are quoting directly from a text. If you paraphrase ideas, that is, convey the author’s ideas in your own words, you must still cite the source, using an established citation format. Otherwise, even if you did not copy-and-paste the text, it still counts as plagiarism. In this class, APA Style is strongly preferred (use these resources: Style Guide; Online Citation Generator).
Your intentions do not matter; if certain sentences/phrases of someone that is not you are used without citation, it is a plagiarism even if you did not mean to do it. The re-use of papers, presentations, and other materials from one course in another course is not appropriate unless the instructor permits. I expect that submitted work has been prepared for this class only (In that sense, I strongly advise against consulting those student essay webpages where you can ‘sample’ some of the examples; they are generally a mishmash of plagiarized texts; besides, the qualities of those ‘samples’ are generally laughable). When in doubt, ask me for clarification. GMU provides a range of services to help with test anxiety, writing and study skills, personal issues, and other concerns.
If determined to be plagiarism by the Mason Honor Committee, The instructor is supposed to submit my recommendation for the ‘consequence’ for it. In this class, my recommendation is zero point for the assignment. Read a full description of George Mason’s Honor Code.
Please note that SafeAssign automatically reports the ‘likelihood’ of plagiarism found in any documents. While this likelihood may not necessarily mean the presence of actual plagiarism cases, I will pay extra attention to the submitted documents that are ‘red-flagged’.
George Mason University promotes a living and learning environment for outstanding growth and productivity among its students, faculty and staff. Through its curriculum, programs, policies, procedures, services and resources, Mason strives to maintain a quality environment for work, study and personal growth.
An emphasis upon diversity and inclusion throughout the campus community is essential to achieve these goals. Diversity is broadly defined to include such characteristics as, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Diversity also entails different viewpoints, philosophies, and perspectives. Attention to these aspects of diversity will help promote a culture of inclusion and belonging, and an environment where diverse opinions, backgrounds and practices have the opportunity to be voiced, heard and respected. Besides, it’s a practical tool. You (will) live in an increasingly diverse society when practicing inclusiveness might help you in the long-run (even if you do not agree with some of these values!). Please see the full GMU diversity statement. You can check Mason University Life religious holiday calendar. It is the obligation of the student to provide faculty, within the first two weeks of the semester, with the dates of major religious holidays on which they will be absent due to religious observances.
The availability of these resources is subject to the GMU COVID19-related policies
Counseling Services: (703-993-2380; SUB I, Room 3129) provides individual and group sessions for personal development and assistance with a range of emotional and relational issues. In addition, the Learning Services Program (703-993-2999) offers academic skill-building workshops as well as a tutor referral service.
Disability Service: Disability Services at George Mason University is committed to upholding the letter and spirit of the laws that ensure equal treatment of people with disabilities. Under the administration of University Life, Disability Services implements and coordinates reasonable accommodations and disability-related services that afford equal access to university programs and activities. Students can begin the registration process with Disability Services at any time during their enrollment at George Mason University. If you are seeking accommodations, please visit http://ds.gmu.edu/ for detailed information about the Disability Services registration process. Disability Services is located in Student Union Building I (SUB I), Suite 2500. Email: ods@gmu.edu | Phone: (703) 993-2474
Student Technology Assistance and Resource (STAR) Lab: Johnson Center 229; 993-8990; http://media.gmu.edu.
Writing Center: 703-993-1824; Robinson A 114, main office; Enterprise 076) provides, at no charge, tutors who can help you develop ideas and revise papers. The Writing Center is also available online at http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/.
All other policies that are not specified in this syllabus follows the policies of GMU. See the details in the following links.